Nova Scotia reports 34 new cases of COVID-19

Nova Scotia reported 34 new cases of COVID-19 and 173 active cases across the province on Thursday. Officials say 26 of the new cases are in the northern region, where a large cluster of cases among unvaccinated people has been identified. The Department of Health says more infections are expected to emerge from this group. Seven cases are in the central region of the province, where there are signs of community spread among unvaccinated people between 20 and 40 years old who are participating in social activities. The remaining case in the eastern zone and is related to travel. Four people are in hospital with COVID-19.  As of Thursday, 73.1 per cent of Nova Scotians are fully vaccinated against COVID-19.

Nova Scotia Health Public Health is advising of potential exposure to COVID-19 at locations in the Northern Zone (Rock the Hub in Truro on Sunday – The advisory is for General Admission 1 Section at the event on from 5:30 p.m. to midnight that day and Belly Up BBQ & Grill was also included for precautionary exposure on Sunday from 12:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.), Eastern and Central Zones and on two Halifax Transit routes and one Air Canada flight.  All potential exposure notifications are listed here: http://www.nshealth.ca/covid-exposures

 

Nurses’ union says N.S. hospitals reaching critical point

Photo: Nova Scotia Nurses’ Union president Janet Hazelton (Global News)

The Nova Scotia Nurses’ Union will be protesting in Dartmouth today to express mounting frustration among overworked frontline nurses.  The group says they’re calling on governments to address the nurse shortage.  The demonstration is being held by the Canadian Federation of Nurses Unions and will also include its member organizations from across the country.  The union says after 18 months of the COVID-19 pandemic and over a decade of a nursing shortage, its members are looking for meaningful change.

 

Nova Scotia registers $341.6 million deficit for last year driven by COVID-19 costs

Nova Scotia has closed the books on the 2020-21 fiscal year, registering a pandemic-driven deficit of $341.6 million.  The figure represents a $396.6-million drop from the $55-million surplus forecast in the budget tabled in February 2020, just before COVID-19 hit.  Finance Minister Allan MacMaster says the province responded to the pandemic with close to $940 million in operating and capital spending during the fiscal year that ended March 31, helped by $413 million in federal aid.  MacMaster says total expenses increased by nearly $219 million to $12.63 billion because of increased support for health-care services during the pandemic and to support various sectors of the economy.   As well, total revenues were down by $178 million because of lower tax revenue and federal transfer payments.  The province’s net debt is now $16.4 billion. (The Canadian Press)

 

Canadian Red Cross helps Pictou man after house fire 

A man has been displaced by a fire this week that heavily damaged an older two-storey house in Pictou.  Canadian Red Cross volunteers assisted him with emergency lodging and funds for purchases like food, clothing and some other basic items.  There were no injuries from the fire on St. Andrews Street, reported shortly before 10 p.m. Wednesday.

 

Truro Police investigate hate as possible motive in recent homicide

Police in Truro say they’re continuing to investigate a homicide reported last week, including whether it was motivated by hate. The police force said in a news release this week that investigators had made “substantial progress” and are considering all factors in the death of Prabhjot Singh Katri. They also said they are not speculating on motive at this time, as the investigation is ongoing. Officers found the 23-year-old with life-threatening injuries when they responded to a call early on Sept. 5 at a building on Robie Street in Truro. He later died in hospital. Truro police say they are now in regular communication with the victim’s family and the Maritime Sikh Society. “This senseless act has deeply shaken our community,” the police statement said. “We wish to extend our deepest sympathies to the Canadian Sikh Community who is also mourning this loss.” (The Canadian Press)

 

Gas prices increase for third straight week in N.S.

There’s a bump at the pumps in Nova Scotia this morning. Regular self-serve gas increased six-tenths of a cent per litre to $1.382 in the local area. Diesel is up eight-tenths of a cent to $1.274 per litre.